Soybean variety AP98041-4-117

ABSTRACT

The present invention is in the field of soybean variety AP98041-4-117 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety AP98041-4-117 and its progeny, and methods of making AP98041-4-117.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention is in the field of soybean variety AP98041-4-117 breeding and development. The present invention particularly relates to the soybean variety AP98041-4-117 and its progeny, and methods of making.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The breeding and development of crops has been ongoing across the last 1000 years. The pace of this development in soybeans, as an animal foodstuff and as an oil seed has dramatically increased in the last one hundred years. Planned programs of plant breeding have increased the growth, yield and environmental hardiness of the soybean germplasm. Due to the sexual reproduction traits of the soybean the plant is basically self-pollinating. A self pollinating plant permits pollen from one flower to be transferred to the same or another flower of the same plant. Cross-pollination occurs when the flower is pollinated with pollen from a different plant. This is a rare occurrence in nature.

[0003] Thus the growth and development of new soybean germplasm requires intervention by the breeder in the pollination of the soybean. The breeders' selections of methods of intervening in the pollination depend on the type of trait that is being selected. Soybeans are developed for a number of different types of traits morphological (form and structure), phenotypical, for growth habit, daylength temperature requirements to initiate floral or reproductive development yield. The genetic complexity of the trait drives the breeding method. Backcross breeding is employed when the cultivar that is being bred has a fairly full profile of desirable traits, but lack one or two traits that are highly inheritable. Backcrossing is often employed to move disease resistance, insect resistance and transgenes (hereinafter DNA which are introduced into the original ancestor germplasm by a transformation method) into other varieties.

[0004] When the variety is being employed to develop a new variety or an improved variety the selection methods include pedigrees, recurrent, modified and mass selection and backcrossing. Each of these selection techniques is employed with the efficiency of the breeding procedure as the driver. The breeding procedure requires a continuous evaluation of the success of the breeding program. The success is measured by yield increase, commercial appeal and environmental adaptability of the developed germplasm.

[0005] New varieties must be tested thoroughly to compare the development with the commercially available soybeans. This testing usually requires at least two years and up to six years of comparisons with other commercial soybeans. Varieties that lack the entire desirable package of traits can be used as parents in new populations for further selection. The breeding and associated testing process is 8 to 12 years' progression toward a new variety. Thousands of lines are produced and limited lines are selected in each step of the process. Thus the breeding system is like a funnel with numerous lines and selections in the first few years and fewer and fewer lines in the middle years until one line is selected for the final development testing.

[0006] The selected line or variety will be evaluated for it's the growth and development and yield. These traits of a soybean are a result of the varieties genetic potential interacting with its environment. All varieties have a maximum yield potential that is predetermined by its genetics. This hypothetical potential for yield is only obtained when the environmental conditions are perfect. Since prefect growth conditions do not exist field experimentation is necessary to provide the environmental influence and to measure its effect on the development and yield of the soybean. The breeder attempts to select for good soybean yield potential under a number of different environmental conditions.

[0007] Selecting for good soybean yield potential under a number of different environmental conditions is a process that requires planning, analysis of data in a number of seasons. Identification of the varieties that carry a superior combination of traits that provides this consistent yield potential is a complex science. Other plant traits, unusual weather patterns, diseases, and insect damage often mask the genotypic traits. One widely employed method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performance relative to commercial and experimental plants in replicated studies. These types of studies give more certainty to the genetic potential and value of the plant.

[0008] The goal of the soybean plant breeder is to produce unique and new soybeans and hybrids of the soybeans. To accomplish this the plant breeder painstakingly crosses two or more varieties or germplasm. Then the results of this cross is repeatedly selfed or backcrossed to produce new genetic patterns. Additionally, the breeder can introduce mutations into the genetic material. These can alter herbicide resistance, fatty acid compositions, and amino acid compositions of the seeds and the like. Fortunately, through transformation in combination with breeding the plant breeder can alter or introduce some limited alleles into the breeding material. This capability is widening the potential uses and markets for the various products and by products of oil seed plants such as soybean. One of the products of soybeans is the oil of the seed. Soybean oil is employed in a number of retail products. Soybean meal is also used in food and animal feedstuffs. The traits a breeder selects for can be driven by the ultimate goals of the end user of the product. Thus if the goals of the end user is to produce an oil with a high level of oleic acid and a lower level of linoleic acid then the breeder may drive the genetics toward levels of fatty acids and accept some lesser yield potentials or other less desirable agronomic traits.

[0009] Regardless of the market characteristics of the plant most breeding proceeds along a similar path on a yearly basis. The breeder annually selects the germplasm to advance on into further development. This germplasm is grown in different locations at different altitudes, in different climates and subjected to different soil conditions based on the datum collected individual plants are selected during the end of the growing season. Due to the number of genes within each chromosome millions of genetic combinations exist in the breeders experimental material. This genetic diversity is so vast that a breeder cannot produce the same two cultivars twice using the exact same material. Thus the developing a single variety of useful commercial soybean germplasm is highly unpredictable, and requires intensive research.

[0010] The development of new soybeans comes through breeding techniques such as recurrent selection, mass selections, backcrossing, single seed descent and multiple seed procedure that is used to save labor costs. Other breeding methods are taught in several soybean textbooks.

[0011] The development of soybean cultivars most often requires the development of hybrid crosses (the exception being initial development of mutants directly through the use of the mutating agent or transformants directly through transformation methods) and the selection of progeny therefrom. Hybrids can be achieved by manual manipulation of the sexual organs of the soybean or by the use of male sterility systems. The breeder attempts to identify true hybrids by a readily identifiable trait. These hybrids are then selected and repeatedly selfed and selected to form new homozygous lines from the heterozygous hybrids.

[0012] Outcrossing to a number of different parents creates breeding populations of fairly heterozygous populations. These populations are produced and used in pedigree breeding and recurrent selection. Pedigree breeding is commonly used with two parents which possess favorable, complementary traits. The parents are crossed to form a F1 hybrid. The progeny of the F1 hybrid is selected from this the best individuals F2 are selected; this is repeated in the F3 and F4 generations. The inbreeding is carried forward and at F5-F7 the best lines are selected and tested in the development stage for potential usefulness.

[0013] Mass and recurrent selection can be used to improve populations. Several parents are intercrossed and plants are selected based on selected characteristics like superiority or excellent progeny.

[0014] In backcross breeding a genetic allele or loci is transferred into a desirable homozygous recurrent parent. The trait is in the donor parent and is tracked into the recurrent parent. The resultant plant is like the recurrent parent with the new desired allele or loci.

[0015] The single-seed descent method involves use of a segregating plant population for harvest of one seed per plant. Each seed sample is planted and the next generation is formed. When the F2 lines are advanced to F6 each plant will be derived from a different F2. The population will decline due to failure of some seeds, so not all F2 plants will be represented in the progeny.

[0016] Soybean Glycine max (L) is an important oil seed crop and a valuable field crop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] One embodiment of the invention relates to seed of a soybean cultivar designated AP98041-4-117. the plant, or parts including ovule, a tissue culture of regenerable cells, cells or protoplasts being from a tissue selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, meristematic cells, roots, root tips, anthers, flowers, seeds, stems and pods and pollen thereof, produced by growing the seed.

[0018] The invention in one aspect covers a soybean plant, or parts thereof, having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the soybean plant.

[0019] Another aspect of this invention is the soybean plant seed or derived progeny which contains a transgene (which include DNA whether or not it is a full or partial sequence) affecting herbicide resistance, insect resistance, resistance to disease, nematodes, male sterility, and altered oil or amino acids or other nutritional quality.

[0020] The present invention further covers a method for producing a soybean seed with the steps of crossing at least two parent soybean plants and harvesting the hybrid soybean seed, wherein at least one parent soybean plant is the present invention. In another aspect of the invention covers the hybrid soybean seed and the progeny soybean plant and resultant seed, or parts thereof from the hybrid seed or plant or its progeny.

[0021] In an additional aspect the invention covers a method for producing a soybean progeny from the invention by crossing soybean line AP98041-4-117 with a second soybean plant to yield progeny soybean seed and then growing progeny soybean seed to develop a derived soybean line.

[0022] Yet another aspect of the invention covers a method for a breeding program using plant breeding techniques which employ the soybean plant AP980414-117 as plant breeding material and performing breeding by selection techniques, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, marker enhanced selection, mutation and transformation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Soybean Data Definitions

[0023] Following is a series of definitions of traits that are collected as part of the research yield trial program. TRAIT DESCRIPTION TIMING SCALE Core Traits- HILA COLOR (HC) Phenotypic observation Packaging G = Gray Br = Brown Ib = Imperfect Black Bl = Black Y = Yellow FLOWER COLOR (FC) Phenotypic observation R1 W = White (Beginning P = Purple Bloom) X = Mix POD COLOR (POD) Phenotypic observation R8 (Full T = Tan Maturity) B = Brown X = Mixed PUBESCENCE COLOR Phenotypic observation R8 (Full G = Gray (PUB) Maturity) T = Tawny Lt = Tawny X = Mixed Core Traits - Taken on all Yield Trial Sets Included in harvest GWT Grain weight/plot Harvest Pounds H2O Grain moisture/plot Harvest % moisture MATURITY (MAT) # of days after Aug. 31 R8 (Full Taken in days after Aug. 31 Taken on all reps at 6 when 95% of the main Maturity) locations, stem pods in the plot have reached their mature color PLANT HEIGHT (HT) The average measured Harvest Taken in inches Taken on all reps at 4 plot height. locations where most growth occurs. STEM LODGING (LODGE) Taken wherever differential lodging occurs Rating based on the angle of the majority of plants in the plot relative to the ground at 0° Harvest 1 = All erect 2 = 67°3 = 45°4 = 22°5 = 0°

BRANCHING Rating of the number of Harvest 1 = stick - no branch (BRANCH) branches and their 2 = 1-2 branches relative importance to 3 = 2-3 branches-average yield. Taken at growth 4 = >3-4 branches expressive locations 5 = >5 branches - profuse SHATTER (SHAT) Rating of pre-harvest Harvest 1 = <1% of plot shattered Taken on tests where loses based on 2 = 1-10% shattered shattering occurs percentage of plants 3 = 10-20% shattered with open pods 4 = 20-30% shattered 5 = >30% shattered Optional Traits EMERGENCE (EMG) Rating of the uniform When Seedling Stages: establishment of 50% or 1 = V1 (Uniform), seedling more of Stand>85% the plants 2 = VC&V1 (less uniform), have reached Stand>85% V1 (First 3 = VE&VC&V1, (variable) leaf node) Stand>75% VE (emergence) 4 = Gaps>1′, Stand<75% VC (cotyledon 5 = Gaps>2′, Stand<=50% stage) GREEN LODGING (GLODGE) Rating based on the angle of the majority of plants in the plot R5 to R6 (Beginning seed to Full seed) 1 = All erect 2 = 67°3 = 45°4 = 22°5 = 0°

Disease/Stress Traits PHYTOPHTHORA The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) ROOT ROT of the variety in the Nursery or (PFT) presence of the YT (Yield organism Trial) plots BROWN STEM ROT The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) (BSR) of the variety in the Nursery or presence of the YT plots organism SCLEROTINIA WHITE The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) MOLD of the variety in the Nursery or (SWM) presence of the YT plots organism SUDDEN DEATH The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) SYNDROME of the variety in the Nursery or (SDS) presence of the YT plots organism STEM CANKER The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) (STEMC) of the variety in the Nursery or presence of the YT plots organism CHARCOAL ROT The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) (CHROT) of the variety in the Nursery or presence of the YT plots organism FROG EYE The observed reaction Field 1 to 5 (1 = best) (FRGEYE) of the variety in the Nursery or presence of the YT plots organism IRON DEFICIENCY A composite rating of Hill Plots 1 to 5 (1 = best) CHLOROSIS Yellow Flash, Green- in soils of (IDC) up, and Stunting in 7.9 pH or HpH(high pH) soil higher

[0024] Definitions of Staging of Development

[0025] The plant development staging system employed divides stages as vegetative (V) and reproductive (R). This system accurately identifies the stages of a soybean plant. However, all plants in a given field will not be in the stage at the same time. Each specific V or R stage is defined as when 50% or more of the plants in the field are in or beyond that stage.

[0026] The first two stages of V are designated a VE (emergence) and VC (cotyledon stage). Subdivisions of the V stages are then designated numerically as V1, V2, V3 through V (n) The last V stage is designated as V (n), where (n) represents the number for the last node stage of the specific variety. The (n) will vary with variety and environment. The eight subdivisions of the reproductive stages (R) states are also designated numerically. R1=beginning bloom; R2=full bloom; R3=beginning pod; R4=full pod; R5=beginning seed; R6=Full Seed; R7=beginning maturity; R8=Full maturity.

[0027] BROWN STEM ROT (BSR)—This disease is caused by the fungus Phialophora gregata. The disease is a late-season, cool-temperature, soilborne which in appropriate favorable weather can cause up to 30 percent yield losses in soybean fields.

[0028] SUDDEN DEATH SYNDROME (SDS)—This disease is caused by slow-growing strains of Fursarium solani that produce bluish pigments in culture. The disease is mid- to late season soil borne and occurs in soybean fields with high yield potential. Yield losses may be total l severely affected fields.

[0029] SOYBEAN CYST NEMATODE—The Soybean Cyst Nematode (SCN) Heterodera glycines, is a small plant-parasitic roundworm that attacks the roots of soybeans.

[0030] MATURITY DATE. Plants are considered mature when 95% of the pods have reached their mature color. The number of days are either calculated from September 1 or from the planting date.

[0031] RELATIVE MATURITY GROUP(RM). Industry Standard for varieties groups, based day length or latitude. Long day length (northern areas in the Northern Hemisphere) are classified as (Groups 000,00,0,) and extend to very short day lengths variety groups (southern areas in Northern Hemisphere) classified as (Groups VII, VIII, IX).

[0032] SEED YIELD (Bushels/Acre). The yield in bushels/acre is the actual yield of the grain at harvest.

[0033] SHATTERING. The rate of pod dehiscence prior to harvest. Pod dehiscence involves beans dropping out of the pods.

[0034] PLANT. Means the plant cells, plant protoplasts, plant cells of tissue culture from which soybean plants can be regenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intact in plants or parts of plants, such as pollen, nodes, roots, flowers, seeds, pods, leaves, stems, and the like.

[0035] The present invention is AP98041-4-117. The relative maturity group(rm) for this invention is group two. This soybean is developed for its use of the beans. The traits of the invention are listed below. TRAIT RM 2.9 HR Flower Color purple Pubescene Color Tawny Pod Color Tan Hila Color Black Seed/Lb 2600-3000 Lust DULL Perox POS Phytophthora Root Rot 2.5 Rkn Brown Stem Rot Iron Deficiency Chlorosis 3.5 Sclerotinia White Mold Sudden Death Syndrome Stem Canker Charcoal Rot Frog Eye SCN R3, MR14 PGR

[0036] The instant invention provides methods and composition relating to plants, seeds and derivatives of the soybean cultivar AP98041-4-117. Soybean cultivar AP98041-4-117 has superior characteristics. The AP98041-4-117 line has been selfed sufficient number of generations to provide a stable and uniform plant variety.

[0037] Cultivar AP98041-4-117 shows no variants other than expected due to environment or that normally would occur for almost any characteristic during the course of repeated sexual reproduction. Some of the criteria used to select in various generations include: seed yield, lodging resistance, emergence, appearance, disease tolerance, maturity, plant height, maturity and shattering data.

[0038] The inventor believes that AP98041-4-117 is similar to the comparison varieties. However, as shown in the tables, AP98041-4-117 differs from these cultivars.

[0039] Direct comparisons were made between AP98041-4-117 and these competing commercial varieties. Traits measured included yield, maturity, moisture, lodging, plant height, field emergence. The results of the comparison are presented in below. The number of tests in which the varieties were compared is shown. The deviation or difference of the results, T-value and the traits which showed a significant difference and the level of that significance are also in this table. The present invention AP98041-4-117 is employed in a trialling for a number of characteristics. These test allow the usefulness of the invention to be shown in light of the environmental-genetic interactions.

[0040] The present invention AP98041-4-117 can carry the glyphosate resistance gene. In these comparisons the present invention is yielding slightly better then the comparison line but not significantly better. The appearance of the present invention is significantly different than the other soybean. The plant height is also significantly different between the two plants. Ent Yld Moist Appearance Branch BSR E AP98041-4- 54.1 10.9 2.0 2.0 117RR D294RR/N 52.2 10.8 2.8 3.5 # REPS 46 47 20 2 0 0 Diff 1.9 −0.1 −0.9 −1.5 Std 9.5 1.9 1.0 0.7 T-val 1.35 0.52 −3.85 −3.00 Prob 0.183 0.602 0.001*** 0.205 *** *** Ent Lg Mat Pltht PRR Shatter IDC AP98041-4- 1.6 18.1 33.0 117RR/N D294rr/ 1.6 17.4 36.6 # REPS 25 14 28 0 0 0 Diff −0.1 0.6 −3.6 Std 0.8 3.0 5.7 T-val −0.49 0.81 −3.35 Prob 0.627 0.434 0.002*** *** *** ***

[0041] In this second comparision the present invention is showing significantly more yield then the comparision line while keeping the same moisture. Again the appearance is significantly different than the commercial line. The maturity is 4 days different between the two varieties. Appear- Ent Yld Moist ance Branch BSR E AP98041-4- 54.3 10.9 2.0 2.0 117RR D221RR/N 49.0 10.9 2.7 2.0 # REPS 43 46 20 2 0 0 Diff 5.3 0.0 −0.8 0.0 Std 11.0 0.8 1.0 0.0 T-val 3.14 0.04 −3.29 Prob 0.003*** 0.971 0.004*** *** *** *** Shat- Ent Lg Mat Pltht PRR ter IDC AP98041-4- 1.6 18.1 33.0 117RR/N D221RR/N 1.8 14.1 34.5 # REPS 25 14 28 0 0 0 Diff −0.3 3.9 −1.5 Std 0.9 3.2 4.0 T-val 1.57 4.53 −2.01 Prob 0.129 0.001*** 0.054*** *** ***

[0042] In comparsion with this commercial line the present invention shows both lower moisture and better significantly different yield. Additionally, the present invention is less prone to lodging than is the commercial line.

[0043] This invention also is directed to methods for producing a soybean plant by crossing a first parent plant with a second parent plant wherein the first or second parent plant is present invention or a derived progeny therefrom. Further, both first and second parent plants can come from the soybean line AP98041-4-117. Crossing a self pollinating plant can be difficult. The female flower can be emasculated if desired and manual pollination is accomplished by removing the stamens and pistil from a flower and brushing the anthers against the stigma. Access is gained to the stamens by piercing the keel with tweezers and allowing them to open to push the petals away. Brush the anthers on the stigma. When pollen is on the stigma pollination should occur.

[0044] Genetic male sterility is available in soybeans. This is particularly useful for recurrent selection programs.

[0045] A variety of breeding methods can be selected depending on the mode of reproduction, the trait, the condition of the germplasm. Thus, any such methods using the AP98041-4-117 are part of this invention: selfing, backcrosses, recurrent selection, mass selection and the like.

[0046] Other means of introducing traits in to the AP98041-4-117 variety can be indirectly or directly through biotechnology. The AP98041-4-117 variety may be converted usually be backcrossing to have an inherited transgene. One common example of these transgenes is a mutated EPSPS encoding gene, such as taught in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,060. This transgene provides herbicide resistance. When this transgene is present the plant may be directly treated with the herbicide glyphosate without the result of significant damage to the plant. This phenotype provides the field with stand on the benefit of control of weed growth in a field with the herbicide glyphosate. It will be understood to those of skill in art that other transgenes can be used for herbicide resistance such as the imazethapyr tolerant (IT or IR™) gene, STS (™Dupont), a glufosinate resistant gene, and a paraquat resistant gene for other types of herbicide affects. For example a gene providing the oxalate oxidase enzyme. Such a gene is listed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,511. The oxalate oxidase enzyme in combination with a gene encoding for the oxalate decarboxylate (See U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,870) or the ox decarbox alone can provide disease resistance. These genes can be used to provide Scierotonia resistance plants. Alternatively transgenes can be used to provide altered oil or other nutritional affects.

[0047] Numerous other transgenes can be introduced directly by transformation methods such as by microparticle bombardment, PEG transformation, sonification and the like. Transformation can be performed on explants, cell suspensions, protoplasts or meristem or other regenerable plant cells thereafter the transformant can be employed to introduce the transgene into the invention by standard breeding practices or by enhanced marker assisted breeding practices. Transformation methods are means for integrating new genetic coding sequences (transgenes) into the plant's genome by the incorporation of these sequences into a plant through man's assistance. Many dicots including soybeans can easily be transformed with Agrobacterium. The most common method of transformation after the use of Agrobacterium is referred to as gunning or microprojectile bombardment. This process has small gold-coated particles coated with DNA (including the transgene) shot into the transformable material. Techniques for gunning DNA into cells, tissue, explants, zygotes, meristems, callus, embryos, and the like are well known in the prior art. The DNA used for transformation of these plants clearly may be circular, linear, and double or single stranded. Usually, the DNA is in the form of a plasmid. The plasmid usually contains regulatory and/or targeting sequences which assists the expression of the gene in the plant. The methods of forming plasmids for transformation are known in the art. Plasmid components can include such items as: leader sequences, transit polypeptides, promoters, terminators, genes, introns, marker genes, etc. The structures of the gene orientations can be sense, antisense, partial antisense, or partial sense: multiple gene copies can be used. After the transformation of the plant material is complete, the next step is identifying the cells or material, which has been transformed. In some cases, a screenable marker is employed such as the beta-glucuronidase gene of the uidA locus of E. coli. Then, the transformed cells expressing the colored protein are selected for either regeneration or further use. In many cases, a selectable marker identifies the transformed material. The putatively transformed material is exposed to a toxic agent at varying concentrations. The cells not transformed with the selectable marker, which provides resistance to this toxic agent, die. Cells or tissues containing the resistant selectable marker generally proliferate. It has been noted that although selectable markers protect the cells from some of the toxic affects of the herbicide or antibiotic, the cells may still be slightly effected by the toxic agent by having slower growth rates. If the transformed material was cell lines then these lines are regenerated into plants. The cells' lines are treated to induce tissue differentiation. Methods of regeneration of cellular are well known in the art. The plants from the transformation process or the plants resulting from a cross using a transformed line or the progeny of such plants are transgenic plants that carry the transgene.

[0048] Deposit Information

[0049] A deposit of the Advanta USA Inc. Seed soybean cultivar AP98041-4-117 disclosed above and recited in the appended claims will be made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas, Va. 20110. The date of deposit was ______. The deposit of 2,500 seeds maintained by Advanta USA Inc. since prior to the filing date of this application. All restrictions upon the deposit have been removed, and the deposit is intended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. .sctn.1.801-1.809. The ATCC accession number is ______. The deposit will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced as necessary during that period.

[0050] Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A soybean seed designated AP98041-4-117, a sample of said seed deposited under ATCC Accession No. ______.
 2. A plant, or parts thereof, produced by growing the seed of claim
 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4. Oil of the seed of claim
 1. 5. A soybean plant, or parts thereof, having all of the physiological and morphological characteristics of the soybean plant of claim
 2. 6. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of a soybean plant of cultivar AP98041-4-117, wherein the tissue regenerates plants capable of expressing all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of the cultivar AP98041-4-117.
 7. A tissue culture according to claim 6, the cells or protoplasts being from a tissue selected from the group consisting of leaves, pollen, embryos, meristematic cells, roots, root tips, anthers, flowers, seeds, stems and pods.
 8. A soybean plant regenerated from the tissue culture of claim 6, capable of expressing all of the morphological and physiological characteristics of soybean cultivar AP98041-4-117.
 9. A method for producing a soybean seed comprising crossing at least two soybean plants and harvesting the resultant soybean seed, wherein said at least one soybean plant is the soybean plant of claim
 2. 10. A soybean plant, or parts thereof, produced by growing said soybean seed of claim
 9. 11. Soybean seed comprising said soybean plant of claim 10 as at least one of its ancestors.
 12. A method for producing a hybrid soybean seed comprising crossing a soybean plant according to claim 2 with a second soybean plant.
 13. Soybean seed comprising as one of its ancestors said hybrid soybean plant of claim
 12. 14. A hybrid soybean plant, or parts thereof, produced by growing said hybrid soybean seed of claim
 13. 15. A method for producing a AP98041-4-117-derived soybean plant, comprising: a) crossing soybean line AP98041-4-117 with a second soybean plant to yield progeny soybean seed; b) growing said progeny soybean seed to yield said AP98041-4-117-derived soybean plant.
 16. A method according to claim 15 wherein step c is harvesting the progeny soybean seed from the derived soybean plant and selecting progeny seed therefrom capable of forming another AP98041-4-117-derived soybean plant., and step d is repeating Step (c) at least once.
 17. A method for developing a soybean plant in a soybean plant breeding program using plant breeding techniques which include employing a soybean plant as a source of plant breeding material comprising: using the soybean plant of claim 2 and wherein said plant breeding techniques are selected from the group consisting of: recurrent selection, backcrossing, pedigree breeding, genetic marker enhanced selection, and transformation.
 18. A method of claim 9 with the step of selecting at least one of the two soybean plants to have at least one transgene.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein the transgene is selected from the group consisting of herbicide resistance, insect resistance, resistance to disease, male sterility, and altered oil, amino acid, nutritional quality, IMI resistant gene, glyphosate resistant gene, the oxalate oxidase encoding gene, the oxalate decarboxylate encoding gene. 